Opportunity in the time of Crisis

Today I went to A. Jaeb's (A colleague in the same office) Mother's funeral. During my visit in the temple with a number of other lecturers, in which we reached extremely early, I was dying to find something to eat after a long travel. I was fortunate enough to find that there was this ice-cream vendor just across the van in which I quickly walked towards the vendor.

The vendor was a queer looking old man in the 40s-50s who had an odd smile considering he lost alot of teeth, and wearing a hawaii styled shirt making him look somewhat like a tourist. At the moment he was talking with a kid who seem to be interested in getting an icecream. During that time, I was going through the selection of icecream and asked him to get one for me. He laughed and apologized to me that he ran out of most of the ice-cream and had only 3 type left. It was kind of queer to know that the icecream vendor ran out of icecream considering it was a cold and damp day, so I stuck a conversation with him.

It started out as a quick discussion about bad weather and how it was typical conception that icecream doesn't sell well during the rainy season. When on that topic, he stratched his head and laughed. He said he wasn't expecting his icecream to sell well, but he told me meekly that he hasn't seen any other icecream vendors in his usual route, and it might be the fact that most other icecream vendors decided to in unison to take the day off allowing him a one day monopoly of the district - which was nearly a total of a week's typical sale. When asked why he didn't stay home like the other vendors, he could only laugh and say that it was better to sell icecream to people than to just stay home and stare at the ceiling. The kid that was buying icecream could help but laugh at that.

So at the end, I bought an icecream (though I didn't like any of the remaining types) and continued talking with a few other trivialities with the vendor before leaving. When thinking back on the topic, I remembered that one of the phrased that we had a good laugh was "Opportunity in the time of Crisis" - who would have thought about that?

Propaganda

I just kind of irks me when reading the paper with all the new and fancy words that the policy makers are creating these days. As I'm pretty bored with all of this propaganda, I've decided that it would be a good idea to list a few of the common terms used by people in power and its everyday equivalent according to my own interpretation.

Term -> My Interpretation
Public Information -> Propaganda
Regime Change -> Revolution
Preventive War -> Preemptive War
Collateral Damage -> Civilian Deaths
Education about Facts -> Disinformation
Embedded Journalists -> Propaganda Agents
Media -> Propaganda Machine
Citizen -> Slave
Instill Democratic Goverment -> Control the State through Proxy
Current Politics -> Bullsh*t

Am I going over the top? Hmm... Nah...

Notebook Thermal Sensor Breakdown

I'm not trying to sound too technical, but I just wanted to recall about an odd triviality that I had of late. When talking about computers, I think I do know alittle bit about them having my share of experience as in assembling my own computer and etc. One of the computer breakdown experiences I've remembered very well was when I fried my PC powersupply by just simply touching it. Another experience that I remembered has to with a harddisk failure that was a result of my Harddisk casing had an undetected fan failure in the casing which attributed to a heat buildup which later made the harddisk kaput!

Related with the problem of that old harddisk, it made me more observant about the problems of heat with computers. In most of my newer PCs, I've had a habit to open up the casing so that there would be better ventilation and less risk for heat build-up that can cause serious problems. Later I also found that most computers also come in with heat monitors that can automatically detect potential problem when the heat rises above a level. That monitor is called a thermal sensor which is used to monitor if the temperature at the mainboard rises above a level that is deemed dangerous. These thermal sensors are also useful because it can automatically configure the strength of the fan. An example is that if it is hot, the fan works harder (generates more noise), and if the temperature is cool the fan would be at a lower setting (more quiet). As you notice, one of the most irritatible parts of the computer is the noise of the fan. Anyway, I'm just having a minor problem with my notebook lately. The problem seems to be that the thermal sensor of the notebook is kind of dead. At first I was thinking it may be a major problem, but since I needed to use my notebook for a lot of things, and I can't afford to send my notebook to the repair facility yet. After using the notebook for a while, I figured that the saving grace of the notebook was that when the thermal sensor goes down, the fan just runs at full speed all the time. By the looks of it it isn't a really serious defect considering by my estimate, the temperature in the laptop shouldn't be over the limit, but the major drawback is that its pretty noisy. Anyway, on a sidenote, I hardly care - there is noise everywhere in Bangkok, and I think another source of noise pollution won't be that bad :P

Never leave you Citizen ID at Home

Okay, as stated earlier, I'm on one of those barren spells again. A few days ago, I lent my big bro my ID card because he needed to get a copy of it to confirm that I would be working with him on the BOT (Bank of Thailand) workflow improvement contract. After he finished photocopying my ID, I didn't put it back into my wallet immediately. That was a big mistake.

Today I had to go make a new bank account so that I can receive a grant from the Computer and Communication Education Foundation Grant. When I finished filling up my forms, I finally realized I forgot to bring my ID and it was lying around my cluttered desk at home. Gah! Now I had to go back home again to get my ID and get back to make my bank account. Now that is alot of time wasted especially when the bank in question isn't quite close to home :-/

So that is my lesson. I take my own Citizen's ID for granted, but at times it can be really necessary, so don't forget to carry with you all the time just to be safe.

Senseless Part#1

Life sucks currently - Too much work, too many unforseen pitfalls, too many headaches, but I'm not going to give up to those small potholes in life.

Anyway since life is pretty bad lately, what is a better redemy than to spend alittle time on something that is senseless like a meme and then go back to work :P

Basics:
:x: name: Pisal
:x: height: 175
:x: shoe size: 10
:x: hair color: Black
:x: siblings: Younger/Older Brother
:x: eyes: black
:x: college: Assumption University
:x: high: EIS
:x: elementary: RIS
:x: hometown: Bangkok
:x: favorite place: Home
:x: favorite soda: Ice Tea PEACH!
:x: game: Tetris
:x: favorite food: Pizza
:x: favorite book: LOTR
:x: favorite pen: Reynolds - Blue
:x: favorite animal: Almond(my dog)
:x: waterbrand:
:x: favorite burger place: Home
:x: favorite hobby: Cook / Play Computer Games
:x: favorite friends: The Homies
:x: bar or club: Saxophone
:x: favorite vitamins:
:x: favorite news: Slashdot
:x: favorite dog: -
:x: cell phone co.: Nokia
:x: favorite shirt: Working - Blue Long Sleeve Shirt
:x: favorite sport: Basketball
:x: favorite alcohol: Screwdriver
:x: favorite computer: Fast and Powerful
:x: favorite fruit: Pineapple
:x: favorite song: When You Say Nothing at All
:x: ketchup or salsa: Ketchup
:x: favorite milkshake: Strawberry
:x: steak or lobster: steak
:x: favorite color: blue
:x: favorite weather: sunshine
:x: favorite state: Bangkok

Do You?
:x: have a crush on someone: Yes
:x: wish you could live somewhere else: Maybe
:x: think about suicide: Used to
:x: believe in online dating: ...
:x: think others find you attractive: Maybe
:x: want more piercings: No
:x: like cleaning: Yes
:x: like roller coasters: No
:x: write in cursive or print: Print
:x: last talked to: Big Bro
:x: last thought of: Food
:x: last cut your nails: yesterday
:x: last did laundry: long time ago
:x: last hugged a tree: A few months ago
:x: last watched anime: 1 year
:x: last prayed: Can't Remember

For Or Against:
:x: long distant relationships: Neutral
:x: killing people: Against
:x: teenage smoking: Against
:x: driving drunk: Against
:x: gay/lesbian relationships: Neutral
:x: soap operas: Neutral

Have you?
:x: ever cried over a girl/boy: Never
:x: ever been in a fist fight: Yes
:x: ever been arrested: NEVER
:x: ever had a friend die: Yes
:x: ever dated a cousin: No
:x: ever used a gun: Yes (ROTC - army training))
:x: ever finished a puzzle: Yes
:x: ever got surgery: Yes
:x: ever got beat up: Yes (But also beating up the other person :P)
:x: ever hated someone: Try Not to
:x: ever made a huge mistake: Yes
:x: ever tried any drugs: Yes (if alcohol counts :P)
:x: ever jogged a mile: What about a minimarathon?
:x: ever played with someones feelings: Don't Know
:x: ever had feelings for someone young: Neutral

What?
:x: shoes do you wear: Running Shoes
:x: are you scared of: Roaches
:x: do you sleep in: Floor/Bed
:x: did you eat for lunch: rice
:x: is love: ???

Number Of Times:
:x: of times I have had my heart broken?: 1
:x: of hearts I have broken?: 3
:x: of girls I have kissed?: ...
:x: of boys I have kissed?: NEVER and NOT PLANNING TO
:x: of guys/girls you've rejected?: 2
:x: of drugs you taken: NEVER
:x: of accidents you been in: Too many to count
:x: of people you lead on?: ???
:x: of people you broke up with?: 3

Do you think you are:
:x: pretty: Don't Think So
x: funny: If I'm in the mood
:x: hot: ???
:x: friendly: If I'm in the mood
:x: ugly: You can count on me
:x: loveable: maybe
:x: caring: sometimes
:x: dorky: Yes!!!!
:x: cocky: At Times
:x: girly: No
:x: boyish: Yes
:x: smart: Yes
:x: pimp: ???
:x: angel: I'm a mean angel
:x: gangster: LOL
:x: god: of my own destiny

Favorite:
:x: five letter word:
:x: comedian: -
:x: candy: -
:x: cartoon: Sanctuary
:x: cereal: -
:x: chewing gum: -
:x: day of week: Sat
:x: least fave day: Wed
:x: jello flavor: Strawberry
:x: summer/winter: Winter
:x: trampolines or swimming pools: swimming pool !!

Person Who:
:x: slept in your bed: -
:x: saw you cry: -
:x: made you cry: -
:x: you went to the movies with: Such a long time ago...
:x: yelled at you: -
:x: sent you an email: I'm a black hole

Have you ever:
:x: said "i love you" and meant it?: Yes
:x: gone out in public in your pajamas?: Yes
:x: kept a secret from everyone?: Yes
:x: cried during a movie?: Yes
:x: ever at anytime owned anything new kids on the block?: ???
:x: planned your week based on the TV Guide: Yes
:x: been on stage?: Yes
:x: been to New York?: No
:x: been to California?: Yes
:x: been to Florida?: No
:x: Hawaii?: No
:x: China?: No
:x: Canada?: Yes
:x: Europe?: Yes
:x: what time is it now: 21:15
:x: apples or bananas?: apples
:x: blue or red?: Blue
:x: walmart or target?: Bah!
:x: spring or fall?: Spring
:x: what are you gonna do after you finish this?: Eat
:x: what was the last meal you ate?: Dinner
:x: last noise you heard?: The Keyboard
:x: last smell you sniffed?: My Food
:x: last time you went out of state/province?: A few months ago

Friendship/Love:
:x: do you believe in love at first sight?: Yes
:x: do you want children one day &
if so, how many?: Yes, 11 to create a foodball team (p.s. I'm not serious :P)
:x: the most important thing in a friendship is?: Loyalty

Random Crap:
:x: criminal record?: NONE
:x: do you speak any other languages?: English, Thai
:x: name some of your favorite things in your bedroom?: PS2 and Books, Books, and More Books!
:x: piercings and where?: None!
:x: worst feeling in the world?: Hungry
:x: whom you love: The World

Your:
:x: nickname(s): Chang
:x: initials: PS
:x: how old do you look?: 20
:x: how old do you act?: from 16-60
:x: glasses/contacts?: Glasses
:x: braces: Used to
:x: do you have any pets?: None
:x: you get embarrassed?: If it deals with my personal life
:x: what upsets you?: Bad Food and Undependable People

Mobile Phone Ring Tone

With all the interesting ring tone you can put on your mobile phone form synthesized MIDI to real sampled music (MP3), I found you can learn much from the choice of music. People with current hit music usually are those who follow the latest trends. People using synthesized music embeded in the phone usually are not technically saavy or just are people who like conforming to set standards. People with classical or jazz music are people with sophisticated taste. People using game music are hard core gamers. If you noticed, you can kind of predict people's personality or habits from their ring tone.

On a sidenote, today while I was proctoring, one of the mobile phones left in a student's bag was ringing. It had an MP3 ringtone or the song "I am so Lonely" by Akorn on full volume. After the first few phrases the whole class was laughing, much to the embarassment of the owner who came to close it. Just a short lesson, turn off your mobile phones (or keep in silent mode) if you are going to enter quiet places such as an exam room and if possible at a concert :P

Early Morning Doldrums

During the last few weeks, I've been extremely busy wi th things. As with an increasing workload at times I have to work longer and at times into the early morning. The major problem is that when you sleep very early in the morning, its pretty difficult to maintain a right state of mind when you have to wake up a few hours later many consecutive days.

Coffee is bad. As noted, it makes you hyperactive but only for a short moment before fatigue sets back in - and pretty much leaves you in a worse state than you were before. Eating sugar does help, but having too much sugar adds too much calories and also excess sugar leads to easy mood swings from imbalanced hormones. In summary, there is nothing better than sleep if you have too little sleep.

Anyway, life of late been pretty like a sin curve. At times its in the dump. For example, I'm increasingly frustrated with the excessive amount of spam in many of my email accounts. Lately with my newer email accounts I've taking extra precautions to the point of paranoid. To be exact, I will never give that email to any other person than people who I trust, and also are computer literate enough to know how to prevent spam. Anyone knowing this email would belong to an elite clique that could contact me. Anyway the last statement could be taken lightly like a joke, but somehow I have to admit it does sound somewhat elitist :P Talking about bad times, one of my forums was hacked after been attacked for a while. Can't really care too much at the moment due to work, but I'm currently going to get it back online with a new safer system. I got caught in a thunderstorm and had to wade through flood. The GDXCON2005 which I'm arranging is getting along well, and with potential sponsors, things can't be looking greater at this moment! My latest research is coming out well. Been invited as a special referee for a world robotic competition. Getting an additional side-job. Oh well, I could ramble on and on about little things but lets just leave it at this for now after a long absence.

With all that has gone through the last forthnight, somehow I just yearn for a long hibernation. Today, I'm going to make 120% sure I'm going to get it.